AHSAA News

State Supreme Court Upholds Executive Director Ruling

MONTGOMERY -- The second-round Class 2A football playoff game between Elba and Samson postponed last Friday will be played tonight at 7:30 p.m., after the Alabama State Supreme Court ruled Monday on two conflicting Alabama Judicial Court rulings issued last Thursday. The Supreme Court upheld the AHSAA Executive Director’s ruling.
On Thursday, Nov. 10 at 11:42 a.m., the Circuit Court of Geneva County entered an Order that the AHSAA enforce and abide by the decision of the AHSAA Executive Director and the AHSAA District 1 Board that Washington County High School is ineligible for participation in the high school football playoffs. Later that day, at 4:17 p.m., the Circuit Court of Washington County entered an Order enjoining the AHSAA from removing Washington County High School from the playoffs.
Legal Counsel for the AHSAA filed a Petition with the Alabama Supreme Court Thursday night seeking direction as to the Circuit Court Orders.
Washington County High School was removed from the playoffs last week after AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese ruled that Washington County had played an ineligible player in its first playoff game Nov. 4 in violation of the AHSAA Home Rule. WCHS beat Samson in that Class 2A playoff contest. Consequently, Samson was reinstated into the playoffs following Washington County’s removal and advanced to meet Elba in the second round. WCHS appealed that ruling to AHSAA District 1 and the AHSAA ruling was upheld by that board last Tuesday.
“We are glad to have this matter resolved and on behalf of all our member schools we greatly appreciate the State Supreme Court for ruling so quickly,” Savarese said. “The playoffs will now continue with remaining games to be played according to the playoff schedule.”